Desperate to succeed

29 April 2013

Kevin McDonald is backing the Blades to break their so-called play-off 'hoodoo' this term.

Ahead of the semi-final tie with Yeovil Town, McDonald has spoken about the determination within the dressing room to avenge last year's penalty heartbreak and insists the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion will act as extra motivation to go one better this time.

The Scottish midfielder said: "Obviously, since the season kicked-off in August our aim was always to go up in the top two, ideally we would have won this division.

"The lads were bitterly disappointed after the Portsmouth game, but we now have a second chance and it is down to the players to grab it with both hands.

"Everyone speaks about Sheffield United and play-off failures, but that is in the past, we can't change those results, but we certainly can influence the next two matches and then another final at Wembley.

"All the players are desperate to succeed and get this club back into the Championship, some supporters will probably be nervous ahead of the first-leg, but we are quietly confident this could be our year."